Snap to grid bracket for a sprinkler support assembly

ABSTRACT

A fire sprinkler support assembly includes a beam defining a first side and a second side; a bracket bar; and a bracket assembly coupled to an end of the bracket bar, the bracket assembly comprising: a first plate defining a first vertical section oriented substantially perpendicular to the bracket bar, the first plate having a first end coupled to the bracket bar and a second end coupled to the beam, the first plate defining a first plate opening; a second plate actionable relative to the first plate, the second plate extending through the first plate opening in the first plate; and a fastener coupling the first plate to the second plate and operable to adjust a distance between the first plate and second plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.16/695,457, filed Nov. 26, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/291,204, filed Oct. 12, 2016, which issued intoU.S. Pat. No. 10,527,203 on Jan. 7, 2020, each of which is herebyspecifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to brackets used in fire protectionsprinkler head support systems.

BACKGROUND

A typical automatic fire sprinkler system includes a network of pipesthat carry a fire suppression fluid, e.g., water, to one or more roomsin a building. Conduit sections carry the fluid from the pipes tosprinkler heads strategically located in different rooms. The positionand orientation of each sprinkler head is typically maintained in placeby a support assembly. When the room reaches an elevated temperature dueto a fire, the sprinkler head is activated, allowing a stream of firesuppression fluid to be directed over the intended area of coverage.During operation, the fluid pressure at the sprinkler head can reach ashigh as 175 psi, generating significant back pressure on the sprinklersupport system. The support assembly is used to hold the sprinklersecurely in place during operation.

Some known sprinkler support assemblies are designed to be secured to aceiling structure by fasteners such as screws or bolts which must betightened using special tools in a time consuming process.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a bracket forcoupling a fire sprinkler support assembly to a T-bar beam of a ceilinggrid system, wherein the bracket is easier to install and meets all firesafety industry requirements.

One approach according to the disclosure includes a fire sprinklersupport assembly having a bracket bar configured to extend transverse toa beam, and a bracket assembly coupled to at least one end of thebracket bar. The bracket assembly includes a first plate orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the bracket bar, the first plate having afirst end coupled to the bracket bar and a second end opposite the firstend. The bracket assembly further includes a seating frame extendingfrom the second end of the first plate, the seating frame including afirst member and a second member disposed on opposite sides of the beamsuch that the first member and the second member straddle the beam. Thebracket assembly further includes a second plate actionable relative tothe first plate, the second plate having first and second ends disposedon opposite sides of the beam, and a fastener coupling the first platewith the second plate, wherein the fastener extends throughcorresponding fastener openings in the first plate and the second plate.

Another approach according to the disclosure includes a fire sprinklersupport assembly having a bracket bar configured to extend transverse toa beam, and a bracket assembly coupled to at least one end of thebracket bar. The bracket assembly includes a first plate orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the bracket bar, wherein the first platehas a first end coupled to the bracket bar and a second end coupled tothe beam, and a seating frame extending from the second end of the firstplate, wherein the seating frame includes a first member and a secondmember disposed on opposite sides of the beam such that the first memberand the second member straddle the beam. The bracket assembly furtherincludes a second plate rotatable relative to the first plate, whereinthe second plate has first and second ends disposed on opposite sides ofthe beam, and a fastener coupling the first plate with the second plate,wherein the fastener extends through corresponding fastener openings inthe first plate and the second plate.

Yet another approach according to the disclosure includes a bracketassembly for coupling a fire sprinkler support assembly to a beam, thebracket assembly having a first plate including a first end coupled tothe bracket bar and a second end coupled to the beam, and a seatingframe extending from the second end of the first plate, wherein theseating frame includes a first member and a second member disposed onopposite sides of the beam such that the first member and the secondmember straddle the beam. The bracket assembly further includes a secondplate rotatable relative to the first plate, wherein the second platehas first and second ends disposed on opposite sides of the beam, and afastener coupling the first plate with the second plate, wherein thefastener extends through corresponding fastener openings in the firstplate and the second plate.

Disclosed is a bracket assembly comprising a first plate having a firstend and a second end, the first plate defining a first plate opening anda first fastener opening; a second plate actionable relative to thefirst plate and defining a second fastener opening, the second plateextending through the first plate opening in the first plate; and afastener coupling the first plate to the second plate, wherein thefastener is a screw defining a threaded exterior surface, the screwconfigured to engage the first fastener opening and the second fasteneropening.

Also disclosed is a fire sprinkler support assembly comprising a beamdefining a first side and a second side; a bracket bar; and a bracketassembly coupled to an end of the bracket bar, the bracket assemblycomprising: a first plate oriented substantially perpendicular to thebracket bar, the first plate having a first end coupled to the bracketbar and a second end coupled to the beam, the first plate defining afirst plate opening; a second plate actionable relative to the firstplate, the second plate extending through the first plate opening in thefirst plate; and a screw coupling the first plate to the second plateand operable to adjust a distance between the first plate and secondplate.

A method for using a bracket assembly is also disclosed, the methodcomprising providing a bracket assembly comprising a first plate, asecond plate actionable relative to the first plate, and a screwextending through a first fastener opening in the first plate and asecond fastener opening in the second plate; engaging a beam with thefirst plate and second plate; and tightening the screw to decrease thespace between the first and second plates to make the bracket assemblymore secured with the beam.

Additionally, disclosed is a fire sprinkler support assembly comprisinga beam defining a first side and a second side; a bracket bar; and abracket assembly coupled to an end of the bracket bar, the bracketassembly comprising: a first plate defining a first vertical sectionoriented substantially perpendicular to the bracket bar, the first platehaving a first end coupled to the bracket bar and a second end coupledto the beam, the first plate defining a first plate opening; a secondplate actionable relative to the first plate, the second plate extendingthrough the first plate opening in the first plate; and a fastenercoupling the first plate to the second plate and operable to adjust adistance between the first plate and second plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary approaches of thedisclosure, including the practical application of the principlesthereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire sprinkler support assemblymounted within a ceiling according to exemplary approaches of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fire sprinkler support assemblyaccording to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 2according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fire sprinkler support assembly ofFIG. 2 according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 2according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top cutaway view of the fire sprinkler support assembly ofFIG. 2 according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fire sprinkler support assemblyaccording to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fire sprinkler support assembly ofFIG. 7 according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 7according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 10A is a side view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 7including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches of thedisclosure;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the fire sprinkler support assembly ofFIG. 7 including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fire sprinkler support assemblyaccording to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 11including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches of thedisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the fire sprinkler support assembly ofFIG. 11 including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fire sprinkler support assemblyaccording to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the fire sprinkler support assembly ofFIG. 14 including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 14including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches of thedisclosure;

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG. 14including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a front view of the fire sprinkler support assembly of FIG.14 including a barrier layer according to exemplary approaches of thedisclosure.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of thedisclosure. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to depict exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure, and therefore is not considered aslimiting in scope.

Furthermore, certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, orillustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectionalviews may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectionalviews, omitting certain background lines otherwise visible in a “true”cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity. Furthermore, forclarity, some reference numbers may be omitted in certain drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now proceed with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which various approaches are shown. It will beappreciated, however, that the disclosed torch handle may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theapproaches set forth herein. Rather, these approaches are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular andproceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as notexcluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion isexplicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one approach” of thepresent disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding theexistence of additional approaches that also incorporate the recitedfeatures.

Furthermore, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “central,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used hereinfor ease of describing one element's relationship to another element(s)as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatiallyrelative terms may encompass different orientations of the device in useor operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

As stated above, exemplary approaches herein provide a snap-to-gridbracket or bracket assembly for use with a fire suppression device. Inone approach, a support assembly includes a bracket bar extendingtransverse to a beam, and a bracket assembly coupled to the bracket bar.The bracket assembly may include a first plate oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the bracket bar, the first plate having a first endcoupled to the bracket bar and a second end coupled to the beam. Thebracket assembly further includes a seating frame extending from thesecond end of the first plate, the seating frame including first andsecond members disposed on opposite sides of the beam such that thefirst and second members straddle the beam. The bracket assembly furtherincludes a second plate rotatable relative to the first plate, thesecond plate having first and second ends disposed on opposite sides ofthe beam, and a fastener coupling together the first and second plates.

Exemplary embodiments of brackets/brackets for fire sprinkler supportassemblies described herein may be designed for a T-bar suspended beamof a grid support system. When installing the bracket assembly ontoT-bar body, users can “snap” the bracket assembly onto the T-bar beam.Once the bracket assembly is positioned in place, the user can furthersecure/anchor the bracket assembly to the T-bar beam using the fastenerto bias the first and second plates together, which will firmly pressthe first and second members of the seating frame together on the T-barbeam. To un-anchor the bracket assembly from the T-bar beam, the usermay disengage/loosen/release the fastener to unlock the seating framefrom the T-bar beam.

FIG. 1 shows a fire sprinkler support assembly (hereinafter “supportassembly”) 100 mounted within a ceiling 101 having a ceiling frame 102of rectangular frame sections arranged in a grid pattern. In someembodiments the ceiling frame 102 may be a suspended ceiling. A firesprinkler system 103 can include supply pipes 104 as part of a firesuppression fluid delivery system. The fire sprinkler system 103 canalso include a flexible hose 105, which can couple, via a union nut 106,to the sprinkler drop nipple 107. A ceiling panel 108 may be positionedwithin a section of the ceiling frame 102, and a sprinkler head 110 maybe coupled to a distal end of the sprinkler drop nipple 107, below anopening in the ceiling panel 108. During operation, in the event of afire, a thermally responsive device of the sprinkler head 110 reacts toheat generated by the fire to allow fluid (e.g., water, nitrogen, and/orhalogen) to flow through the sprinkler drop nipple 107 and into thesprinkler head 110, where the fluid is dispersed outwardly to extinguishthe fire. In order to protect the room from fire, the support assemblyis most commonly located above the ceiling panel 108, but can alsoreside in a floor or in one or more walls of a building structure.

The support assembly 100 secures the sprinkler head 110 at apredetermined position within an associated one of ceiling panels 108.In order to function effectively, fire sprinkler head 110 must be heldfirmly in place during operation. Due to the significant back pressureof the fluid flowing therethrough, fire sprinkler head 110 is subjectedto significant side, rotational, and torsional forces, which are capableof changing the position of the fire sprinkler head 110, thereby causingthe fluid to be directed away from the intended target. The sprinklersupport assembly 100 is configured to resist movement of fire sprinklerhead 110 by distributing the forces to spaced-apart points along beams116, which are arranged as a grid.

The support assembly 100 further includes a bracket assembly 112 coupledto at least one end of a bracket bar 114, which in turn is coupled tothe flexible hose 105 by a hub connector 115. The bracket assembly 112connects to each of a pair of adjacent beams 116 of the ceiling frame102. In one embodiment, each of the beams may be a t-shaped beamsuspended from an overlying building structure using, for example,flexible wire, and may be configured according to ASTM Internationalstandards. The standards may include, but are not limited to, those setforth in one or more of designations C635, C636 and E580, which are eachincorporated herein by reference.

Turning now to FIGS. 2-6, a support assembly according to an embodimentof the disclosure will be described in greater detail. As shown, thesupport assembly 200 includes a bracket bar 214 configured to extendtransverse to a beam 216, which, as shown, may be a t-shaped beamincluding a flange 218, a web 219 expending perpendicularly from theflange 218, and a rim 220. In some embodiments, the rim 220 may have ahollow circular cross section. The beam 216 may further include aconnector 221 for coupling the beam 216 to an adjacent beam (not shown).

The support assembly 200 further includes a bracket assembly 212 coupledto one end 222 of the bracket bar 214. As shown, the bracket assembly212 may include a first plate 223 oriented perpendicular, orsubstantially perpendicular, to the bracket bar 214, wherein the firstplate 223 has a first end 224 coupled to the bracket bar 214, and asecond end 225 opposite the first end 224, coupled to the beam 216. Thebracket assembly 212 further includes a second plate 226 actionablerelative to the first plate 223, wherein the second plate 226 extendsthrough an opening or slot 227 in the first plate 223. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the second plate 226 may be biasedrelative to the first plate 223 to further secure the bracket assembly212 to the beam 216 once the second end 225 of the first plate 223 ispositioned atop the rim 220 of the beam 216.

To better retain the support assembly 200 in place, the bracket assemblymay include a seating frame 230 extending from the second end 225 of thefirst plate 223. As shown, the seating frame 230 may include a firstmember 232 and a second member 233 disposed on opposite sides of thebeam 216 (e.g., sides 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 3) relative to one anothersuch that the first member 232 and the second member 233 straddle thebeam 216. The seating frame 230 may further include a third member 234extending from the second end 225 of the first plate 223, on the sameside of the beam 216 as the second member 233. The seating frame 230provides lateral stability to the support assembly 200 and determinesthe height of the levered bracket assembly 212 relative to the beam 216.For the sake of reference, as used herein, side 1 of the beam 216 maycorrespond to an exterior side of the beam 216, whereas side 2 maycorrespond to an interior side of the beam 216, i.e., a side positionedcloser to the hub connector 115 (FIG. 1) along the bracket bar 214.

Each of the first, second, and third members 232-234 include respectivefree ends 235, 236, and 237, and respective attached ends 238, 239, and240. As shown, the attached ends 238-240 may be integrally formed with,or coupled to, the second end 225 of the first plate 223. In exemplaryembodiments, the attached ends 238-240 include respective curved orbowed sections 241, 242, and 243 extending outwardly away from the beam216 so as to accommodate the rim 220 of the beam 216 therebetween. Thefree ends 235-237 may also be curved outwardly from the beam 216 toallow the rim of the beam 216 to be more easily received between thefirst, second, and third members 232-234 during installation. Centralsections 244, 245, and 246 of respective first, second, and thirdmembers 232-234 are configured to engage the web 219 of the beam 216once the seating frame 230 engages the beam 216. During deployment ofthe sprinkler head 110, the first, second, and third members 232-234 ofthe seating frame 230 interact with the beam 216 to secure the supportassembly 200 to the beam 216 and to maintain the alignment of thesprinkler head 110 by preventing the support assembly 200 from rotatingabout the bracket assembly 212.

As further shown, the bracket assembly 212 includes a fastener 250coupling the first plate 223 with the second plate 226, wherein thefastener 250 extends through corresponding fastener openings 251, 252 inthe first plate 223 and the second plate 226, respectively. In exemplaryembodiments, the fastener 250 is an anchor push spring lock having afirst arm 253 and a second arm 254 connected together by a butt end 255,as best shown in FIG. 6. The first and second arms 253, 254 may beoriented parallel or substantially parallel to one another, while thebutt end 255 is arranged perpendicular thereto. The butt end 255 mayinclude a central section 256 and a pair of curved sections 257, 258extending from opposite ends of the central section 256. As shown, thebutt end 255 is generally wider (e.g., as viewed from above) than theopening 252 of the second plate 226. That is, the curved sections 257,258 extend laterally beyond the edges of the opening 252 in a directiontransverse to the bracket bar 214 so as to prevent the butt end 255 frompassing through the opening 252 in a direction towards the first plate223.

The first and second arms 253, 254 may include respective free ends 260and 261 extending from central members 262 and 263, respectively. Thefirst and second arms 253, 254 further include curved sections 264, 265disposed opposite one another, wherein the curved sections 264, 265extend laterally, e.g., in a direction transverse to the bracket bar214, beyond the edges of the opening 251 of the first plate 223 so as toprevent the free ends 260, 261 from passing through the opening 251 ofthe first plate 223 once the fastener 250 is place. In one embodiment,the spring force of the fastener 250 causes an outside surface of thecurved sections 264, 265 to engage a perimeter defining the opening 251through the first plate 223 when the bracket assembly 212 is secured tothe beam 216.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-6, during installation, the first plate 223is positioned atop the beam 216, causing the seating frame 230 tostraddle the rim 220 and the web 219 of the beam 216, as describedabove. The second plate 226 may then be actuated, which causes thesecond plate 226 to move closer to the first plate to further secure thebracket assembly 212 to the beam 216. In exemplary embodiments, thesecond plate 226 includes a first end 270 and a second end 271, whereinthe first and second ends 270, 271 are located on opposite sides of thebeam 216 when the seating frame 230 is in place atop the beam 216.

The first end 270 includes opening 252 for receiving the fastener 250therein. As shown, the second plate 226 extends from the fastener 250,down along the first side of the beam 216, and curves at a firstinflection point 272 to pass through the slot 227 in the first plate223. The second plate 226 may further include a second inflection point273 on the second side of the beam 216, wherein an inner surface of thebeam 216 proximate the second inflection point 273 generally conforms tothe curvature of the rim 220. The second plate 226 may further include athird inflection point 274, wherein the inner surface of the secondplate 226 proximate the third inflection point 274 makes physicalcontact with the web 219 of the beam 216. In some embodiments, a tip end276 of the second plate may curve outwardly away from the beam 216 toallow the rim 220 of the beam 216 to pass more easily into the seatingframe 230 during engagement.

In exemplary embodiments, the bracket assembly 212 is coupled to thebracket bar 214 at the first end 224 of the first plate 223 by a hangermember 278. As shown, the hanger member 278 includes a pair of parallel,or substantially parallel, side walls 279, 280 connected by a top wall281. The pair of side walls 279, 280 may be oriented transverse to thebracket bar 214, and parallel, or substantially parallel, to theremainder of the first plate 223. In exemplary embodiments, the bracketbar 214 extends through each of the side walls 279, 280, and is securedin place by a fastener 282, such as a bolt 283 and wingnut 284. Thehanger member 278 may include a free end 285 and a secured end 286,which is integrally formed with the first end 224 of the first plate223. In other embodiments, the free end 285 may be integrally formed orcoupled to the first end 224 of the first plate 223 so that a contiguousframe is formed.

Although not shown, in some embodiments, the first and/or second plates223, 226 may include stiffening ridges extending between respectivefirst and second ends 224, 225 and 270, 271. Alternatively, the firstand/or second plates 223, 226 can be configured to have sufficientthickness to resist flexion when the bracket assembly 212 is secured tothe beam 216.

Furthermore, although the first and second plates 223, 226 are disclosedin this embodiment as being two separate members, it will be appreciatedthat the bracket assembly 212 is not limited to this configuration. Forexample, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the second plate 226may be formed as a partial cut out portion of the first plate 223 thatis folded back over a portion of the first plate 223. Instead of beinghinged or coupled to the first plate 223 as described above, the secondplate 226 may extends integrally from the first plate 223 and can rotaterelative to the first plate 223 about an attached edge due to theflexibility of the material from which the plates are fabricated.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-10B, a support assembly according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail. Asshown, the support assembly 300 includes a bracket bar 314 configured toextend transverse to a beam 316, which, as shown, may be a t-shaped beamincluding a flange 318, a web 319 expending perpendicularly from theflange 318, and a rim 320. In some embodiments, the rim 320 may have ahollow circular cross section. The beam 316 may further include aconnector 321 for coupling the beam 316 to an adjacent beam (not shown).

The support assembly 300 further includes a bracket assembly 312 coupledat one end 322 of the bracket bar 314. As shown, the bracket assembly312 may include a first plate 323 oriented perpendicular, orsubstantially perpendicular, to the bracket bar 314, wherein the firstplate 323 has a first end 324 coupled to the bracket bar 314, and asecond end 325 opposite the first end 224, coupled to the beam 316. Thebracket assembly 312 further includes a second plate 326 actionablerelative to the first plate 323, wherein the second plate 326 extendsthrough an opening or slot 327 in the first plate 323. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the second plate 326 may be biasedrelative to the first plate 323 to further secure the bracket assembly312 to the beam 316 once the second end 325 of the first plate 323 ispositioned atop the rim 320 of the beam 316.

The bracket assembly may further include a seating frame 330 extendingfrom the second end 325 of the first plate 323. As shown, the seatingframe 330 may include a first member 332 and a second member 333disposed on opposite sides of the beam 316 (e.g., sides 1 and 2 shown inFIG. 7) relative to one another such that the first member 332 and thesecond member 333 straddle the beam 316. The seating frame 330 mayfurther include a third member 334 extending from the second end 325 ofthe first plate 323, on the same side of the beam 316 as the secondmember 333. Each of the first, second, and third members 332-334 includerespective free ends 335, 336, and 337, and respective attached ends338, 339, and 340. As shown, the attached ends 338-340 may be integrallyformed with, or coupled to, the second end 325 of the first plate 323.In exemplary embodiments, the attached ends 338-340 include respectivecurved or bent sections 341, 342, and 343 generally shaped toaccommodate the rim 320 of the beam 316 therebetween. The free ends335-337 may be straight, as shown, or may alternatively be curvedoutwardly from the beam 316 to allow the rim of the beam 316 to be moreeasily received between the first, second, and third members 332-334during installation.

As further shown, the bracket assembly 312 includes a fastener 350coupling the first plate 323 with the second plate 326, wherein thefastener 350 extends through corresponding fastener openings 351, 352 inthe first plate 323 and the second plate 326, respectively. In exemplaryembodiments, the fastener 350 is a lever assembly including a rod 354connected to a lever 355, wherein the rod 354 is orientedperpendicularly, or generally perpendicularly, to the first plate 323.The rod 354 may be a threaded bolt or stud, which passes through thecorresponding fastener openings 351, 352 in the first plate 323, and issecured by a nut 356. The threads of the rod 354 are configured toengage the nut 356, which is positioned in abutment with an interiorsurface 360 of the first plate 323. By rotating the threaded rod 354,the amount of space between the plates 323, 326 can be adjusted to makethe bracket assembly 312 more secure about the beam 316.

The lever 355 is connected to one end of the rod 354, and includes afree end 358 and a cam surface 359. As shown, the cam surface 359 isengaged with the second plate 326, and the free end 358 of the lever 355is actionable relative to the second plate 326 to reduce or increasetension between the first and second plates 323, 326. The lever 355 maybe pivotally connected to the end of the rod 354 by a pin (not shown)and the rotational axis of the lever 355 is eccentric relative to theperiphery of the cam surface 359. The cam surface 359 of the lever 355has a generally semi-circular peripheral shape. When the bracketassembly 312 is assembled, the cam surface 359 abuts an outward-facingsurface 361 of the second plate 326. The lever 355 rotates about the pinbetween an open position and a closed position, to increase and decreasethe tension/distance between the first and second plates 323, 326.

More specifically, when the lever 355 is actuated, the cam surface 359rotates about the eccentric rotational axis and creates a camming actionagainst the second plate 326. The camming action is facilitated by theshape of the cam surface 359, which includes a first section 363, whichis generally semi-circular, and a second section 364, which is generallyflat. The flat shape of the second section 364 enables that the lever355 to be freely movable and adjustable when the bracket assembly 312 isin the open position. As the free end 358 of the lever 355 is actuatedupwards and towards the first end 324 of the first plate 323, the firstsection 363 gradually pulls the rod 354 toward the second plate 326along the axis A (FIG. 9), which is perpendicular, or substantiallyperpendicular, to the first plate 323. The first section 363simultaneously pushes the second plate 326 towards the first plate 323along the axis A, thereby increasing tension and reducing the spacingbetween the first and second plates 323, 326.

The first end 370 of the second plate 326 has a lateral member 367,which extends through the opening 327 of the first plate 323, and a tipend 372, which extends upwards and is angled towards the interiorsurface 360 of the first plate 323. In some embodiments, the lateralmember 367 is oriented perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, tothe first plate 323 as it extends through the opening 327. The tip end372 may pivot or rotate to increase the distance between the tip end 372and the interior surface 360 when the lever 355 is in open position, andto decrease the distance between the tip end 372 and the interiorsurface 360 when the lever 355 is in a closed position. It will beappreciated that the first end 370 is dimensioned with sufficientclearance relative to the opening 327 through the first plate 323 toallow for rotation therebetween as the fastener 350 moves between openand closed positions.

As further shown, the second plate 326 extends from its connection pointwith the first plate 323, down along side 1 of the beam 316 at an angleaway from the beam 316. At a first inflection point 397, the secondplate 326 angles towards the beam 316, the first inflection point 397shaped to allow for the curvature of the rim 320. The second plate 326may further include a flat lower section 375 having an inner surface 376configured to make physical contact with the web 319 of the beam 316.The second end 371 of the second plate 326 may extend downward,substantially parallel to the first plate 323, or may curve outwardlyaway from the beam 316 to allow the rim of the beam 316 to pass moreeasily into the seating frame 330 during installation.

In exemplary embodiments, the bracket assembly 312 is coupled to thebracket bar 314 at the first end 324 of the first plate 323 by a hangermember 378. As shown, the hanger member 378 includes a pair of parallel,or substantially parallel, walls 379, 380 connected by a top wall 381. Abottom wall 383 of the hanger member 378 connects the side wall 379 to aneck 384 of the first plate 323. The parallel walls 379, 380 may beoriented transverse to the bracket bar 314, and parallel orsubstantially parallel to the remainder of the first plate 323. Inexemplary embodiments, the bracket bar 314 extends through each of thefirst and second parallel walls 379, 380, and is secured in place by afastener 382, such as a bolt and wingnut. The hanger member 378 mayinclude a free end 385 and a secured end 386, which is integrally formedwith the first end 324 of the first plate 323. In other embodiments, thefree end 385 may be integrally formed or coupled to the remainder of thefirst plate 323 so that no gap is present therebetween. As shown, thehanger member 378 may have a rectangular, or substantially rectangular,shape to accommodate the shape of the bracket bar 314.

As shown in FIGS. 10A-B, the bracket assembly 312 may include a barrierlayer provided along one or more surfaces of the seating frame 330. Inone embodiment, the barrier layer includes a set of plastic inserts390A-D formed along respective inner and outer surfaces of the first,second, and third members 332, 333, and 334, as well as along inner andouter surfaces of the second end 371 of the second plate 326. As shown,the inserts 390A-D are open at a top thereof, and extend around thebottom edges of the components of the seating frame 330. The inserts390A-D may increase durability and reduce friction between the seatingframe 330 and the beam 316 during installation. Furthermore, in someembodiments, the plastic inserts 390A-D may be useful for low-voltagesuspended ceiling power distribution systems in which screws on theceiling grids should not be used. It will be appreciated that althoughthe barrier layer is described with connection to the seating frame 330of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-10, a similar barrier layer may beformed along other seating frame arrangements provided in the variousembodiments disclosed herein.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-13, a support assembly according to a firstembodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail. Asshown, the support assembly 400 includes a bracket bar 414 configured toextend transverse to a beam 416, which, as shown, may be a t-shaped beamincluding a flange 418, a web 419 expending perpendicularly from theflange 418, and a rim 420. A bracket assembly 412 may be coupled to oneend 422 of the bracket bar 414. As shown, the bracket assembly 412 mayinclude a first plate 423 oriented perpendicular, or substantiallyperpendicular, to the bracket bar 414, wherein the first plate 423 has afirst end 424 coupled to the bracket bar 414, and a second end 425,opposite the first end 424, coupled to the beam 416. The bracketassembly 412 further includes a second plate 426 actionable relative tothe first plate 423, wherein the second plate 426 extends through anopening or slot 427 in the first plate 423. As will be described ingreater detail below, the second plate 426 may be biased relative to thefirst plate 423 to further secure the bracket assembly 412 to the beam416.

To better retain the support assembly 400 in place, the bracket assembly412 may include a seating frame 430 extending from the second end 425 ofthe first plate 423. As shown, the seating frame 430 may include a firstmember 432 and a second member 433 disposed on opposite sides of thebeam 416 relative to one another such that the first member 432 and thesecond member 433 straddle the beam 416. In this embodiment, the secondmember 433 includes a pair of side members 492A-B, and a cross member493 connecting the pair of side members 492A-B. The first and secondmembers 432, 433 each include respective free ends 435 and 436, andrespective attached ends 438 and 439. As shown, the attached ends 438,439 may be integrally formed with, or coupled to, the second end 425 ofthe first plate 423. In exemplary embodiments, the attached ends 438,439 include respective curved or bowed sections 441 and 442 extendingoutwardly away from the beam 416 so as to accommodate the rim 420 of thebeam 416 therebetween. The free ends 435, 436 may also be curved orangled outwardly from the beam 416 to allow the rim of the beam 416 tobe more easily received between the first and second members 432, 433during installation. As configured, an inner surface 444 (FIG. 12) ofthe free end 435 of the first member 432 may engage the web 419 on side1 of the beam 416, while an inner surface 445 of the second member 433may engage the web 419 on side 2 of the beam 416.

As further shown, the bracket assembly 412 includes a fastener 450coupling the first plate 423 with the second plate 426, wherein thefastener 450 extends through corresponding fastener openings 451, 452 inthe first plate 423 and the second plate 426. In exemplary embodiments,the fastener 450 is a screw 454 oriented perpendicular, or generallyperpendicular, to the first plate 423. The screw 454 may include athreaded exterior surface that engages a corresponding interior threadedsurface of opening 451 and/or 452. The threads of the screw 454 may befurther configured to engage a nut 456, which is positioned in abutmentwith an interior surface 360 of the second plate 426.

During installation, the first plate 423 is positioned atop the beam416, causing the seating frame 430 to straddle the rim 420 and the web419 of the beam 416, as described above. By rotating the threaded screw454, the amount of space between the plates 423, 426 can be adjusted,thus causing the bracket assembly 412 to tighten or loosen about thebeam 416. As shown, the head of the screw 454 may face outwards to alloweasier access thereto by an installer.

In exemplary embodiments, the second plate 426 includes a first end 470and a second end 471, wherein the first and second ends 470, 471 arelocated on opposite sides of the beam 416 when the seating frame 430 isin place. The first end 470 has a base section 469, which extendsthrough the opening 427 of the first plate 423 and is orientedorthogonal to the first plate 423, a middle section 468, which extendsfrom the first plate 423 at an upwards angle, and a tip end 472, whichextends back towards the first plate 423. As configured, the tip end 472may pivot or rotate to increase the distance between the tip end 472 andthe interior surface 360 of the first plate 423 when the screw 454 isloosed, and to decrease the distance between the tip end 472 and theinterior surface 360 of the first plate 423 when the screw 454 istightened. It will be appreciated that the first end 470 is dimensionedwith sufficient clearance relative to the opening 427 to allow formovement therebetween as the first and second plates 423, 426 changesposition relative to one another.

As further shown, the second plate 426 extends from its connection pointwith the first plate 423, down along side 2 of the beam 416. At a firstinflection point 497, the second plate 426 angles towards the beam 416such that the second plate 426 extends into an opening 498 of the secondmember 433 formed by the pair of side members 492A-B and the crossmember 493. As shown, the first inflection point 497 is shaped toaccommodate the curvature of the rim 420. The second plate 426 mayfurther include a flat lower section 475 having an inner surfaceconfigured to make physical contact with the web 419 of the beam 416.The flat lower section 475 of the second end 471 may extend downward,parallel to the first plate 423, or may curve outwardly away from thebeam 416 to allow the rim of the beam 416 to pass more easily into theseating frame 430 during installation.

In exemplary embodiments, the bracket assembly 412 is coupled to thebracket bar 414 at the first end 424 of the first plate 423 by a hangermember 478. As shown, the hanger member 478 includes many or all of thefeatures previously described in relation to the hanger member 378 ofFIGS. 7-11 and, as such, will not be described in further detail for thesake of brevity.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-18, a support assembly according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail. Asshown, the support assembly 500 includes a bracket bar 514 configured toextend transverse to a beam 516, which, as shown, may be a t-shaped beamincluding a flange 518, a web 519 expending perpendicularly from theflange 518, and a rim 520. A bracket assembly 512 is coupled at one end522 of the bracket bar 514. As shown, the bracket assembly 512 mayinclude a first plate 523 oriented perpendicular, or substantiallyperpendicular, to the bracket bar 514, wherein the first plate 523 has afirst end 524 coupled to the bracket bar 514, and a second end 525opposite the first end 524, coupled to the beam 516. The bracketassembly 512 further includes a second plate 526 rotatable relative tothe first plate 523, wherein the second plate 526 has a first end 570and a second end 571 disposed on a same side (e.g., side 2) of the beam516. As shown, the first end 570 of the second plate 526 extends througha first opening or slot 527 in the first plate 523, while the second end571 of the second plate 526 extends through a second opening 531 throughthe second end 525 of the first plate 523. As will be described ingreater detail below, the second plate 526 may be biased relative to thefirst plate 523 to further secure the bracket assembly 512 to the beam516 once the second end 525 of the first plate 523 is positioned atopthe rim 520 of the beam 516.

To help retain the support assembly 500 in place, the bracket assembly512 may further include a seating frame 530 extending from the secondend 525 of the first plate 523. As shown, the seating frame 530 mayinclude a first member 532 and a second member 533 disposed on oppositesides of the beam 516 (e.g., sides 1 and 2) relative to one another suchthat the first member 532 and the second member 533 straddle the beam516. The seating frame 530 may further include a third member 534extending from the second end 525 of the first plate 523, on the sameside of the beam 516 as the second member 533. As shown, the second andthird members 533, 534 are positioned on opposite sides of the secondopening 531, which is formed through the first plate 523. The second end571 of the second plate 526 may extend through the second opening 531and between the second and third members 533, 534 of the seating frame530.

In some embodiments, each of the first, second, and third members532-534 include respective free ends 535, 536, and 537, and respectiveattached ends 538, 539, and 540. As shown, the attached ends 538-540 maybe integrally formed with, or coupled to, the second end 525 of thefirst plate 523. In exemplary embodiments, the attached ends 538-340include respective curved or bent sections 541, 542, and 543 generallyshaped to accommodate the rim 520 of the beam 516 therebetween. The freeends 535-537 may be straight or may be curved/angled outwardly from thebeam 516 to allow the rim of the beam 516 to be more easily receivedinto the seating frame 530 during installation. In some embodiments, thefree end 535 of the first member 532 extends between the bent sections541 formed on opposite sides of the second opening 531.

As further shown, the bracket assembly 512 includes a fastener 550coupling the first plate 523 with the second plate 526, wherein thefastener 550 extends through corresponding fastener openings 551, 552 inthe first plate 523 and the second plate 526, respectively. In exemplaryembodiments, the fastener 550 is a lever assembly including a rod 554connected at a first end 566 to a lever 555 and at a second end 569 tothe second plate 526, wherein the rod 554 is oriented parallel, orsubstantially parallel, to the first plate 523. The rod 554 may be athreaded bolt or stud, which passes through the corresponding fasteneropenings 551, 552 in respective first and second plates 523, 526. Thethreads of the rod 554 are configured to engage a nut 556, which ispositioned in abutment with a lateral section 567 of the second plate526. By rotating the threaded rod 554, the amount of space between theplates 523, 526 can be adjusted to make the bracket assembly 512 more orless secured with the beam 516.

The lever 555 is connected at the first end 566 of the rod 554, andincludes a free end 558 and a cam surface 559. As shown, the cam surface559 is engaged with the first plate 523, along a top wall 581 of ahanger member 578. The free end 558 of the lever 555 is actionablerelative to the first plate 523 to reduce or increase tension betweenthe first and second plates 523, 526. The lever 555 may be pivotallyconnected to the end of the rod 554 by a pin (not shown) and therotational axis of the lever 555 is eccentric relative to the peripheryof the cam surface 559. The cam surface 559 of the lever 555 has agenerally semi-circular peripheral shape. When the bracket assembly 512is assembled, the cam surface 559 abuts an outward-facing surface of thetop wall 581 of the first plate 523. The lever 555 rotates about the pinbetween an open position and a closed position to increase or decreasethe tension/distance between first and second plates 523, 526.

When the lever 555 is actuated, the cam surface 559 rotates about theeccentric rotational axis and creates a camming action against the firstplate 523. The camming action is facilitated by the shape of the camsurface 559 including a first section 563, which is generallysemi-circular, and a second section 564, which is generally flat. Theflat shape of the second section 564 enables the lever 555 to be freelymovable and adjustable when the bracket assembly 512 is in the openposition. As the free end 558 of the lever 555 is rotated upwards andtowards the supply pipe 104 (FIG. 1), the first section 563 pulls therod 554 upward in a direction generally parallel to the first plate 523,as will be described in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the rod 554 of the fastener 550 is directly coupledto the second plate 526, for example, at a lateral section 567 that isoriented perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the firstmember 532. As shown, the lateral section 567 may extend through thefirst opening 527 of the first plate 523, where it connects with a tipend 572 of the second plate 526. The tip end 572 may extend downwardsfrom the lateral section 567, along the first plate 523. During use, thelateral section 567 and the tip end 372 may slide and/or rotate withinthe first opening 527 to increase/decrease the distance between the tipend 572 and the first plate 523.

As shown, the second plate 526 further includes a middle section 577extending from a connection point 587 with the lateral section 567 downalong side 2 of the beam 516, at an angle towards from the beam 516. Insome embodiments, the middle section 577 and the lateral section 567form an acute angle at the connection point 587. At a first inflectionpoint 597, the second plate 526 angles towards the beam 516, and thenextends through the second opening 531 through the first plate 523. Thesecond plate 526 may include a second inflection point 573 having aninner radius of curvature to accommodate and generally conform to therim 520 of the beam 516, and a flat lower section 575 having an innersurface 576 configured to make physical contact with the web 519 of thebeam 516. The second end 571 of the second plate 526 may extend downwardand at an angle away from the beam 516, as shown, to allow the rim ofthe beam 516 to pass more easily into the seating frame 530 duringengagement.

As best shown in FIG. 16, during use, rotation of the free end 558 ofthe lever 555 upwards causes the rod 554 to move downward in a directiongenerally parallel to the first plate 523, which transfers a downwardforce to the lateral section 567. In some embodiments, the rod 554 isoffset relative to a center of the lateral section 567, which causes thesecond plate 526 to begin to rotate relative to the first plate 523, asshown by arrow ‘R.’ As the second plate 526 rotates, the connectionpoint 587 moves laterally away from the beam 516, causing the tip end572 to move towards and engage the first member 532, which brings thesecond end 525 closer to the second plate 526, thus tighten the seatingframe 530 about the beam 516.

Referring again to FIGS. 14-18, in exemplary embodiments, the bracketassembly 512 is coupled to the bracket bar 514 at the first end 524 ofthe first plate 523 by the hanger member 578. As shown, the hangermember 578 includes a pair of parallel, or substantially parallel, walls579, 580 connected by a top wall 581. A bottom wall 583 of the hangermember 578 connects the side wall 580 to the first end 524 of the firstplate 523. The parallel walls 579, 580 may be oriented transverse to thebracket bar 514, and parallel, or substantially parallel, to theremainder of the first plate 523. In exemplary embodiments, the bracketbar 514 extends through openings in each of the first and secondparallel walls 579, 580, and is secured in place by the rod 554 of thefastener 550. As shown, the rod 554 extends through the top wall 581 andthe bottom wall 583, as well as through an opening (not shown) formedthrough the beam 516.

The hanger member 578 may include a free end 585 and a secured end 586,which is integrally formed with or attached to first end 524 of thefirst plate 523. In other embodiments, the free end 585 may beintegrally formed or coupled to the first end 524 of the first plate 523so that no gap is present therebetween. As shown, the hanger member 578has a rectangular, or substantially rectangular, shape.

For each of the herein described embodiments, a non-limiting method ofmounting the support assembly to a ceiling support structure (e.g., abeam) will now be described. First, a person installing the fire supportassembly actuates the fastener coupling the first and second platestogether to an open position, which loosens the first and/or secondplates relative to one another. Next, with the seating frame of thebracket assembly in the open position, the bracket assembly of thesupport assembly is fitted onto the corresponding beam(s). Fitting thebracket assembly onto the beam may include manually spreading the firstand second plates by rotating the second plate relative to the firstplate to obtain adequate spacing to accept the rim and the flange of thebeam. Next, when the support assembly is in the desired location aboutbeam, the spacing between the plates may be adjusted (e.g., narrowed) byactuation (e.g., rotation) of the fastener to a closed position. Toremove the support assembly, the fastener may again be actuated to anopen position, and the bracket assembly may be lifted from the beam.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure provide atleast the following advantages. Firstly, some embodiments of thedisclosure only require a user to push a lever that will tighten andanchor the seating frame onto the T-bar beam of the ceiling grid system,thereby allowing users to first install the bracket assembly, followedby the ceiling tile, due to the high clearance afforded by the bracketassembly design. Secondly, the configuration of the seating frame allowsthe bracket assembly to “snap” to the beam, thus allowing the bracket tobe installed faster, and potentially by hand, thus reducing tooling suchas cordless drills and drivers. Thirdly, the brackets are designed tohold a sprinkler head firmly in place during operation by resistingside, rotational, and torsional forces, thus satisfying UL requirementsfor use in the fire protection industry.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tocertain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes tothe described approaches are possible without departing from the sphereand scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limitedto the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined bythe language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. While thedisclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches,numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the describedapproaches are possible without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it isintended that the present disclosure not be limited to the describedapproaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language ofthe following claims, and equivalents thereof.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A fire sprinkler support assemblycomprising: a beam defining a first side and a second side; a bracketbar; and a bracket assembly coupled to an end of the bracket bar, thebracket assembly comprising: a first plate defining a first verticalsection oriented substantially perpendicular to the bracket bar, thefirst plate having a first end coupled to the bracket bar and a secondend coupled to the beam, the first plate defining a first plate opening;a second plate actionable relative to the first plate, the second plateextending through the first plate opening in the first plate; and afastener coupling the first plate to the second plate and operable toadjust a distance between the first plate and second plate.
 2. The firesprinkler support assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the first plate.
 3. The fire sprinklersupport assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener engages a firstfastener opening of the first plate and a second fastener opening of thesecond plate.
 4. The fire sprinkler support assembly of claim 3,wherein; the fastener is a screw; the screw defines a threaded shaft;the threaded shaft of the screw rotatably engages at least one of aninterior threaded surface of the first fastener opening and an interiorthreaded surface of the second fastener opening; and rotating the screwadjusts the distance between the first plate and the second plate. 5.The fire sprinkler support assembly of claim 4, further comprising anut, wherein the second plate defines a second vertical sectionsubstantially parallel to the first vertical section, the nut is mountedon the threaded shaft of the screw, and the nut abuts one of the firstvertical section and the second vertical section.
 6. The fire sprinklersupport assembly of claim 4, wherein the screw further defines a head,the threaded shaft of the screw extending from the head, the head of thescrew facing outward from the fire sprinkler support assembly to allowfor easy access thereto by an installer.
 7. The fire sprinkler supportassembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket bar is configured to extendtransverse to the beam.
 8. The fire sprinkler support assembly of claim1, wherein the bracket assembly further comprises a seating frameextending from the second end of the first plate, the seating frameconfigured to couple the bracket assembly to the beam.
 9. The firesprinkler support assembly of claim 8, wherein the beam comprises aflange, a web extending perpendicularly from the flange, and a rim. 10.The fire sprinkler support assembly of claim 9, wherein a supportportion of the seating frame is configured to rest on top of the rim tosupport the bracket assembly thereon.
 11. The fire sprinkler supportassembly of claim 10, wherein the seating frame comprises a first memberdisposed on the first side of the beam and a second member disposed onthe second side of the beam.
 12. The fire sprinkler support assembly ofclaim 11, wherein: each of the first member and the second membercomprises a free end and an attached end; the attached ends are coupledto the second end of the first plate; and each of the free ends areangled outwardly from the beam to facilitate inserting the rim betweenthe first member and the second member.
 13. The fire sprinkler supportassembly of claim 12, wherein each of the first member and the secondmember comprises a curved section disposed between the free end and theattached end, each of the curved section configured to curve around therim of the beam.
 14. The fire sprinkler support assembly of claim 11,wherein the second plate defines a lower section positionable on thesecond side of the beam.
 15. The fire sprinkler support assembly ofclaim 1, wherein: the second plate defines second vertical sectionsubstantially parallel to the first vertical section of the first platethe second plate defines a first end and a second end; and the first endof the second plate defines a base section extending from the secondvertical section and through the first plate opening.
 16. The firesprinkler support assembly of claim 15, wherein the base section isoriented substantially orthogonal to the first vertical section and thesecond vertical section.
 17. The fire sprinkler support assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the first end of the second plate further defines atip end distal to the second vertical section of the second plate andangled towards the first plate, and wherein the tip end is configured topivot away from the first plate when the fastener is loosened and topivot towards the first plate when the fastener is tightened.
 18. Thefire sprinkler support assembly of claim 17, wherein the first end ofthe second plate further defines a middle section disposed between thebase section and the tip end, the middle section extending away from thefirst plate at an upwards angle relative to the base section.